Talks over Delhi-Mumbai Railway Corridor project

Kanniyakumari, Tamil Nadu, Feb 1 (UNI) The Railway Ministry is debating the conditions put forth by the Japan Government to invest Rs 50,000 crore in the proposed Delhi-Mumbai dedicated railway freight corridor, Minister of State for Railways R Velu said today.

Talking to reporters after flagging off the Nagercoil-Coimbatore daily express here, he said if the project materialised, travel distance between the two metros would be reduced to a great extent.

The Delhi-Kolkata corridor had become a reality recently, he pointed out.

Mr Velu also said electrification works on the 45 km-stretch from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala to Kanniyakumari would begin soon with an investment of Rs five crore.

Stating that the newly-launched train service had realised the long-pending demand of the people of the region, he said the train would connect the two places known for their tourist potential as well as service industries. He likened the implementation of the project, amidst various odds, to 'a delivery through the Caesarean section.' On the occasion, the Minister also inaugurated the new platform lights in the Nagercoil Junction railway station.